Make My Head Stop Spinning!

Yesterday was unusually busy. I had to get my oldest cat to the vet after work. He was feeling a bit under the weather and it seems now that he has a bit of an upper respiratory infection. (I'm pretty sure in layman's terms that's a cold) So he's on an antibiotics.

After that I was trying to get some cleaning down around the house, just a little, while being able to watch the only show I really enjoy right now, Big Bang Theory.

Oddly I managed to get most of it done. That in itself is amazing, considering everything seemed to be conspiring against me.

I've been trying to get stuff done but I've not had any time for me. I miss reading blogs and whatnot. I barely have time to blog here, let alone read all my dailies. When I get down time I still can't get squat taken care of! I have paid the taxes on the house though for the year, so I think I should get a woot! for that!

I just wish I could get the stuff I want done in my downtime, rather than finding other stuff to pile onto my already massive to do list. Its not making life any fun right now and its definitely making me crabby.

I don't need any extra aggravation in my life. I've got enough. More than enough actually.

I just want my life to return to normal. Is that asking too much?

Where'd The Weekend Go?

How is it that 48 hours of vegetating go by so damn quickly? I didn't do much of anything. Exercise on Saturday and some grocery shopping. Yesterday I just pretty much laid around the house did some cleaning and read a book.

Why does it feel like I blinked and its Monday?

Its like this year is flying by and nothing is happening. Worse still, I can't believe that its less than 3 months until Christmas and there's going to be no grandma this year.

Thanksgiving...and no grandma.

I haven't got over that empty feeling and there's still so much to deal with, and damn it in my vegetation I didn't get what I wanted done, done!

I'm sick of the only time going by slowly being the 40 hours I spend at work. Or that time spent watching the debates from hell.

Dear god the VP's are going to debate this week. There's no way I can watch Sarah Palin and not want to break my tv. Maybe that hour or so out of this week will fly by as fast as my weekend.

I should stop thinking about this now, or I'll end up at work with a violent rage brewing in my head over stuff I have no control over.

The Kittens Are On Schedule

Or perhaps I should say they are on "a" schedule. If I'm not awake at my usual 6 a.m. they are on the bed bugging me. Well Skimble isn't, he just curled up on the blankets and went to bed. Little Coco decided to take matters into her own hands and she was biting my toes by 6:30.

To make matters worse, Miss Callie a.k.a. Mom decided that she could use the kittens litter box. Only its shallow and that means she can't cover her poop as well there. So I'm hearing her trying to toss everything she can find over the litter tray, because she's the only cat we've had that doesn't dump and run (so to speak).

What a morning!

Its just a good thing that those kittens are absolutely adorable!

Oh and I won't even mention if they don't have their can of Friskies kitten food by 7:30! Oye the mayhem than ensues then!

Oddly though, both mama and her babies have been very good. They get into a certain amount of mischief but all in all they are well behaved and very smart. (And did I mention, downright cute?)

I'm Disappointed

I finally got to listen to Lindsey Buckingham's kinda new CD, Gift Of Screws and apparently I'm one of the only people out there that didn't really care for it.

Its too produced if you ask me and Lindsey's vocals are almost drowned out by the guitar work at some points. Not that I don't want to listen to Lindsey play. He's a fantastic guitarist, especially acoustic, but I don't buy an album just for guitar work. I want good songs that are enjoyable. 4 out of 10 songs are what I'd call good. The other 6 are mediocre, bad, or just downright strange.

This is a classic example of waiting and getting excited over an album, only to have my hopes dashed after one listen.

The cover alone is enough to put me off. Seriously, Lindsey couldn't afford a good photographer? That picture could scare small children!

It certainly isn't worth $13.00.

Top 5 On Friday: Week 193

From Music Memoirs:

Top 5 songs that this image reminds you of:

Diana Krall - Peel Me A Grape

Tierney Sutton - Fly Me To The Moon

Jane Monheit - Hit The Road To Dreamland

Stacey Kent - Bewitched Bothered and Bewildered

Suzy Boggus - Burning The Toast

A Little Tuesday Meme On Thursday

Tuesday Tunes - Week 50 from Music Memoirs

Summer is officially over so let's do a recap.

Tell us your summer musical memories, whether they are a concert, an album you bought, a song that became special or a new artist you discovered.

There were a lot of concert memories almost from the very beginning. In June I saw Gordon Lightfoot at the Mountaineer in Chester, WV. A fabulous show. In August I saw Lady Antebellum at the Fayette County Fair with Sarah Marince another fabulous show. Oh and Labor Day weekend was the back to back Peter Noone shows.

Summer was full of great shows, with great artists that were all very gracious to their fans. Definitely a lot of concert memories this year and all of them good ones, for a change. And really, if you get a chance to see Peter Noone perform, DO IT! You'll enjoy the music and he'll make you laugh til your belly hurts.

As for artists I discovered? There are almost too many to mention. I've definitely discovered some country artists that I like as well as some indie artists. I think right now Jimmy Wayne and Lady Antebellum with Sugarland coming in there as well. Suffice to say this summer has made my CD wish list grow larger than it has been in a long while.

It definitely was a great summer of music for me.

Whatever Happened To: Grey Eye Glances

Grey Eye Glances are one of my favorite bands and they've all but disappeared off the radar. I know the lead singer had a baby a few years back, but they had played several shows last year. I guess I was hoping that there would a new album coming, but there's not been anything updated on their website in ages and ages.

No shows? No sign of a new album.

Absolutely nothing.

I'm totally becoming distressed at this. I don't know why. Bands come and go all the time, but I guess I was holding out hope that they would last, but hey they've been mostly an indie band for the 15 + years of their career, so they've had a good run, if they've chosen not to do the band thing anymore.

I guess I'm being greedy, because I just discovered them about 2 years ago and I so wanted to go through the excitement of knowing a new album would be on its way.

I guess all I can do is hope now.

~sigh~

They are such a great band too. The world will be less sunny if they've stopped making music. Maybe if I'm lucky they're holed up somewhere recording.

A girl can dream, right?

I Love It But It Baffles Me

Big Bang Theory is one of the comedies that I most enjoy, but the whole plot whacks me out. I mean how long can this show go on without killing itself? 3 uber-geeks and one busty blonde?

As it is they started out the Fall Season with Leonard actually going on a date with the busty blonde (Penny). I mean, if the relationship doesn't work, where does the show go from there? Why did they even have a date in the first place? How did she agree on it? WHY?

It makes me shake my head a lot, but I still watch, because...well...because its a cute show.

However I'm being realistic in my love for it. It will be like Caroline in the City...it will only last a season or two more and the blot bunnies the writers will dish out will drag it right into the ground.

Its not anyone's fault either, after all when the premise to your show is Geeks living in apartment have sexy neighbor that one falls for...well you can only go the route of them not hooking up for so long before the audience feels too damn sorry for him to keep watching or they hook up. (That pretty much ruins it for me)

I guess I'll see how the show manages to play out this year. The first epi was really good.

Yay for amusing telly. Now to figure out why people like Two and a Half Men. Blech! That show annoys me.

It Was A Good Mail Day

I had 4 packages today. Two of them were albums I need to review for my Livejournal music community. The other two were discs I ordered last week. One of the CDs I oreded was Judd Starr's Luminescent. (Dances happily) I'll probably review that one at some point too, but I can hazard a guess that you should buy it regardless of whether I've reviewed it or not. It will be good.

The other CD I ordered was Two Loons For Tea's Looking For Landmark's. I'm looking forward to ripping them both to my hard drive and having a good listen, most likely tomorrow.

So today was a great music in the mail day. I have loads of stuff to listen to this week! Hopefully I'll be able to do that in between all the great television that's on and that I have waiting to watch from the summer when I was too busy to watch. (That would be Monk and Psych!)

Either way...I'm going to have some lovely music to listen to in between tv shows!

Random Ten - Week 172

From Music Memoirs


10 songs that sum up your weekend...or were on your weekend playlist...and one picture that relates back. (oh, and if you feel like it, tell us why you picked the songs you did)

I spent a weekend discovering new music and some old and walking and walking and walking at the Covered Bridge Festival. Here's some of what I listened to.

01. Yes - Love Will Find A Way
02. Alt-Ctrl-Sleep - Sleep
03. Joni Mitchell - Sex Kills
04. Joni Mitchell - A Case Of You
05. Colin Hay - Waiting For My Real Life To Begin
06. Julian Velard - All Right For You
07. Ana Popovich - Sittin' On Top Of The World
08. Michelle Branch - All Always Be Right There
09. Natalie Cole - Come Rain, Come Shine
10. ELO - Strange Magic (It's still stuck in my head)

The picture?



This shot is from 2 years ago at the festival. My pictures from yesterday are still on the camera. I'm so lazy.

I'm Exhausted.

I went to the covered bridge festival today at Mingo Creek Park and I walked 8 miles. (4 miles each way from one bridge to the next) My legs ache and I was the one that deemed the walk necessary. Oh fool me!

I had an enjoyable time though, so I'll suffer my slight pain in silence. All the companies that make dip mixes were there and suffice to say I succumbed to their wares. 3 dips for veggies and crackers and one dessert cheese ball mix.

Mmmm. I can't wait for the holidays now!

Actually what I truly can't wait for is a nice hot tub filled with bubbles and a cheesy romance novel to take away some of the aches in my poor little feet!

I'll have to remember when I'm at Jack's tomorrow, no elliptical. I don't think I could take that much walking two days in a row. I'm weak as water!

So if you don't mind, I have a date with a nice bubble bath! Pictures will follow tomorrow sometime.

Two Artists To Relax Your Soul

In the turmoil and crazyness that is the world we live in, music is needed to keep some of our sanity in check. I know I'm one of those people. Music relaxes and soothes the savage beastie that I can become when I get stressed.

I discovered 2 new indie artists today while perusing (I like that word) CD Baby.

Lisa Dery is one. You only have to look at her website to know that you're getting somethinb beautiful and ethereal. Its a bit celtic a little bit folk and a touch of jazz. You can't get any prettier than that.

Karyn Wittemore is the other. I adored her voice with one listen. She reminds bit of Rachael Sage in her singing style. She's got such a soaring voice.

I don't know where I've suddenly got the love for such mellow music. I think I'll blame it on my rediscovery of The Moody Blues.

Either way, here are two artists you should definitely give a listen to. Plus they are part of the $5 sale at CD Baby...when you buy 3 CDs from their sale list all discs are $5! So 3 CDs for the price of one! Woot!

The Peace Lily Is Blooming

I don't know how I managed not to kill this almost tree sized plant in the last five months, but I haven't and its actually thriving.

Most of you know that it was given to my family when grandma passed away in April. No one really knew what to do with it.

I took it upon myself to baby it and now I'm reaping my rewards. There is a blossom. Its not open but last night I saw that it wasn't just a new leaf.

I'm so excited.

I didn't think the plant would survive this long in my care, but maybe I have just a little bit of the green thumb my gram had with house plants. I like that idea. It couldn't hurt to be more like grandma, she was a wonderful lady. I would be proud to be more like her.

There will be more pictures when it is completely blooming and well I'll be full of myself with pride then.

The Post Where Mistress Rants About The Music Industry AGAIN!

Talking about Indie artists yesterday made me think about how unfair the music industry is to signed, established artists.

If you are an artist that say had a decent career in your twenties...like say...erm...The Moody Blues....or Elvis Costello...or Peter Noone of Herman's Hermits...or even Duran Duran, why can't you get a new album released.

In some instances its the artists fault. Its easy to capitalize on 12 hit songs or so and go on touring and playing those, but what of the artists that still want to write music? The industry giants make it rough for them. Once you hit a certain age, they seem to think most musicians etc have nothing viable to say, unless you're Madonna (and really has she ever had anything to say worth hearing?), U2 (Sometimes I wish they would shut up) or Paul McCartney.

For the most part once an established artist hits the 40 to 50 range in age, the record companies conveniently forget to promote their material. How can people buy something when they don't know its out or coming out?

What if the listener isn't a crazy internet geek like yours truly, who combs Amazon's new releases page at least twice weekly?

There's no way to know! Especially with the state of stores like FYE that only seem to stock what's current. You can get no instant gratification if you want something like Gordon Lightfoot's Dream Street Rose or Old Dan's Records. That has to be ordered online or downloaded.

So for an established artist, it becomes difficult to sell your old albums because they aren't stocked, if they are in print, and being able to release new material is difficult because the industry believes only kids buy music. Uh no, they don't. And the industry seems to think fans only want 30 more greatest hits compilations. NO. WE. DON'T!

So its a lose/lose situation. Unless you are 20, and an American Idol Winner or were found by talent scouts because new bands are hard to find and if you live in a big city someone might hear you. Oh and if you are female you must prance about scantily clad and your vocal talents only have to be questionable.

GAH!

This, my friends, is why I like Indie Music and why my favorite established artists can't seem to put a record out. (Well except for Elvis Costello)

Top 5 On Friday - Week 192

From Music Memoirs


Top 5 Songs That Come To Mind When You See The Word "Dreamy"


Nick Lowe - The Poor Side Of Town
Nick kept the original arrangement to this song originally done by Johnny Rivers. Dreamy always comes to mind when I hear the shoobeedobees in this song.

Two Loons For Tea - Sunset Room
Click here to go to this wonderful band's website and listen to Sunset Room. This is a very relaxing, definitely dreamy tune.

Alt-Ctrl-Sleep - Silhouette
Another not well known band. You can hear this song on their Myspace Page

Terami Hirsch - Fable Moon
And LA singer songwriter with a gorgeous new album, that allows her to do an almost lounge singer style to her songs. Proof of the beauty and dreamy quality of this song can be found on her Myspace.

Grey Eye Glances - Angel
This is the song that made me fall in love with this band. If you haven't already heard this one, click here. and give it a listen. I have just about every album this band has ever recorded, and I wish I knew what they were up to. Last year they played some live dates around the Philly, South Jersey area, but then they've disappeared again. The world will be a sadder place if they've taken a break from music.

Bonus dreamy song: Judd Starr - Firefly


This is from his first CD Luminescent, which I just ordered this week. Now if only he'd do a video for one of the songs from Spirit and Skin, I'd be happy.

Indie Music and CD Baby

A lot of you have commented on not knowing some of the artists I've been talking about lately. The reason? They are mostly unsigned artists that are trying to get there music out to the people via the internet in various ways.

In the current market the best music out there is the stuff that's not on a major label.

Judd Starr is one I can't praise enough. His new album tops my list of best releases of 2008 so far, eclipsing Elvis Costello and several others.

Josephine is another I've mentioned. She has such a sweet voice and her songs are simply beautiful.

Deni Bonet is a singer-songwriter/violinist. Her music has a great little touch of humor and her voice is a bit Debbie Harry-esque. A unique description, I know, but its pretty accurate.

Sarah Marince is a teenage country singer from Pittsburgh with one helluva voice. I saw her open for Lady Antebellum last month and I can't shout enough about how great her voice is.


Jillian Goldin is an artist from Philly. (Where all of PA's great music comes from apparently) if you like artists like Enya, Loreena McKennitt or Clannad, you'll love Jillian!

All of these artists have one thing in common (actually two). You can get their music on CD Baby. Why is that so great? Well, the artists make more than 25 cents off their albums that way. So its great for them and you get good quality music, so its good for you too.

CD Baby also lets you search by bands you like to see what they consider similar artists, and unlike Amazon, CD Baby gives you good results.

That's how I found Vinyl Kings who are a bunch of studio musicians that got together and recorded a Beatles type tribute, but not by recording Beatles songs. No, they did one better, they wrote their own songs but they sound like songs John, Paul, George and possibly even Ringo could have written.

So go ahead, give these artists a try. Oh and peruse CD Baby when you have a chance. They do the digital download thing for those of you that don't buy CDs anymore plus you're supporting Indie artists at the same time and not sending money into the pockets of the industry giants that don't deserve it.

I'm Annoyed

Why you ask?

1. Where is the US getting the money to bail out AIG? $85 Billion? Why won't the gov't bail me out..I don't even need a tenth of that? And how can someone that's not making their bills pay back an $85 BILLION loan. I just don't understand. I probably don't want to because then I'd just be angry.

2. My dad who bitches about the alarm clock not going off, is actually sleeping through it. HA! Anyone that sets their alarm for 4:40 a.m. gets no sympathy from me, especially when it wakes me so that I can't get back to sleep. OK, I did and sad dreams ensued.

3. Fell asleep for a half hour after the dad debacle only to dream of grandma. It wasn't a bad dream. I just dreamed that I was hugging her and telling her how much I missed her, mostly because I was doing a lot of crying last night about her. Time does not heal all wounds. 5 months has made nothing better, its just made the void bigger.

4. A random guy from NYC leaving a comment on my Myspace saying "Hi sexy, whatcha doing." Uh. erm. Let's play spot the loony. Oh look there you are!

5. Arby's buying out Wendy's the only fast food chain that I really like. Grrrr

Go Ahead, Make Me Shop

I was checking my email earlier when I found one of my Amazon Sale ads. Just what I need to encourage me to shop, when I'm trying to be a good girl about buying stuff that I don't need. Lord knows I have more than enough music for any person. Heck I have more than enough music for two or three people.

I had to peruse the sale, because buy two get one free is always enough to make me right click any music link. That's how BMG gets money off me at least once a month.

Sadly most of the stuff on sale right now is in my collection.

Damn.

But if you need to complete your collection of Jimmy Buffett, The Moody Blues, Tom Petty and even Joe Jackson, now would be a good time to do it. Most of the discs were only $7.97. Can't beat getting any of the Moodies discs for that cheap or for that matter the classic Elton John.

If my wish list weren't so long with stuff I really want, I'd be tempted to get a few of the Buffett albums. I need Changes In Latitudes, Changes In Attitudes and Coconut Telegraph.

Let's see if my will power will hold out. Or yours for that matter. That's a damn good sale!!

Must shop.

Must shop.

Someone please hide my credit card!!!

I Can't Wait

Until I can unkitten-proof the room with the kittens. I've moved stuff all over my upstairs so that the little, very inquisitive ones will not have books or CDs fall and konk them on the noggin. (Though I'm thinking right now the little ones have pretty hard heads)

I've also taken just about anything that little claws can destroy out of the room. Soon I'll be putting in another litter box.

What fun!

Still I suppose its much easier and less painful than having real children. (And actually the kittens are cuter and better behaved than most children I know) Oh and do you know the number one reason why kittens (and puppies) are better than human children?

They don't go to college. (or want cell phones, ipods, computers, cars) All they ask for is cat food and a litter box.

Therefore its cheaper to have cats/dogs/fish/ferrets whatever than having children.

I think I've said that before though. But really it deserves repeating.

Am I mama material? Probably not.

Random Weekend Observations

~ Mamma Mia was quite possibly the funniest thing I've seen in a long time.

~ Meryl Streep has a big bum! I applaud her and any other actress for having one as well, that means they are HUMAN WOMEN and not some strange stick beings sent from outer space to taunt the rest of us.

~ I hope the players at the Renfest, well except the belly dancers, got extra cash for wearing those costumes. Damn it was hot and damn they had loads of clothes on. I think I probably would have died of heat exhaustion if I had to wear one

~ Cast In Bronze never fails to amaze me. I love the bells!!

~ Renfest food is getting cheaper! Woot! BTW if anyone hits the Pittsburgh Renfest in the next two weeks I highly recommend the meatball sandwiches and anything in the bread bowls. Oh and TURKEY LEGS! (I didn't have a turkey leg this year though)

~ When did they build the Barnes & Noble at South Hills Village? Oye! That goes to show you how often I head towards that mall.

~ Something fell out from under Bernie The Beretta yesterday. Why do things always fall off my car after the Renfest. Last year, I spent a small fortune on the exhaust. Stupid parking in stupid fields with stupid people that don't know how to get out of them!

~ Benny and Bjorn of ABBA had it dead on when they wrote Money Money Money.

~ Pumpkin Spice is back @ Starbucks! My butt grows larger just thinking about the wonderfulness of that.

~ The kittens are getting bigger and badder! (And cuter!)

The Pittsburgh Renfest

This is the second year we've attended the Renaissance Festival in West Newton, which is about 20 minutes from where I live. I love it! It's great fun. There are at least 8 or more acts performing at the festival. My favorite being the Washing Well Wenches and Cast In Bronze.

This year we saw a few new acts as well as the old staples. The German Brothers that rapped were really a hoot. The best part however is the jousting. Why? Because. Erm. Well. Uh. I'm not really sure why, except that the horses are pretty and well, so are the guys that ride them.

Hey! I'm a girl. I appreciate a good looking man on a stead! I was lucky enough to give Sir Roderick (The Evil Knight) a favor in the last challenge! Yipee!

So in my day, I had a German rapper, rap a dirty song at me, I gave a favor to a rather dashing dark knight and the King of the Festival sang to me. Oh and the guy that plays the carillion in Cast In Bronze signed my CD! It really doesn't get much better than that.

If you want to see my photos from the festival, just click here

A Mini Moment Of Squee

Yesterday I mentioned that Judd Starr's Spirit and Skin is one of my favorite albums right now. I even reviewed it awhile back on my Livejournal music group. You can read the review here.

Yesterday I got an email from Judd thanking me for my review! He even said that it was one of his favorite reviews.

How exciting is that?

I've been doing a lot of artist and album review for an online PR company on that site. Twice now I've had artists thank me for mentioning them, but none that ever went out of their way to email me about one.

That really made my day.

I hope my review helps to make a difference in his career, because Judd is truly a fantastic musician/songwriter/singer.

Top Five On Friday - Week 171

I almost forgot to post this on Music Memoirs last night. I'm just not into the whole meme thing as much as I used to be.

Top 5 albums in your music collection right now

Lady Antebellum - Lady Antebellum


This is one country album I adore. They are a fun band that puts on a great show and well they are eye candy too. I like eye candy that sings.

Judd Starr - Spirit & Skin


Judd is an indie artist that's done some work for Mtv shows. He does dancey pop music along the lines of Duran Duran when they didn't suck. To sample some of the tracks from his album go here

Josephine - Unfinished Life


Josephine is another indie artist. A relocated Parisian via Montreal then NYC. Her music is stunning, similar to Toby Lightman and Jewel. She's definitely worth checking out.

Nick Lowe - At My Age


This is still one of my absolute favorite albums of the last 5 years. I hope Nick gets back into the studio and records something equally fabulous soon, or reissues all those old albums I need desperately!

Keri Noble - Let Go

I discovered Keri back in the day when I did a lot of surfing to find new blogs. I'm glad I found her. This is her 3rd album that was only released in Japan. Its totally wonderful. It was supposed to get a release in the US, but so far nothing. There is rumor that she's doing a holiday CD and that fills me with great joy.

What Day Is It?

I know its Thursday, really I do, but my body wants it to be Friday. So does my head. I really just want Friday even though Friday is the worst day of my week workwise.

I woke up this morning thinking that it was Saturday, though I knew better. That was just the part of my brain that demands more sleep talking. That part of my brain has been very adamant about me getting more rest lately. Sadly, the rest of me haven't taken any notice of my brain's ravings.

I can't even think coherently lately, hence a lot of photos posted here. Hey, my kittens are cute. (And just an aside, my cats are more well behaved than most dogs I've had and are more loving)

I'd rant about the election, but I'm at a point where I just don't care. Neither candidate is qualified for the job and both of them scare the crap out of me, some of the VP candidates scare me more though. I'm half tempted to stay home in November, after all my vote didn't matter in 2000 why would it now?

I could always talk about what I've been reading but that's been a whole lot of smutty romances.

TV? Nope haven't watched anything this week.

On that note, I think I should try to be interesting today by saying nothing more. Maybe the rest of today will be more interesting.

Kitten Photoshoot

Most of you shouldn't even have to ask what I do with my time after I get home from work. Its computer time, reading, tv or play with kittens. Mostly its play with kittens, because they are just too darn cute to be ignored.

Rumor has it they are going to start charging me for photographing them. I think the last I heard, it was $100,000 or a 20 lb bag of Science Diet kitten food.

Those kittens really drive a hard bargain.

Momma kitty gets a percentage too, because she created all the cuteness.

Do you want to see more cuteness? Just click here

Things I Learned In The Last 24 Hours

1. Neutrogena Rapid Clear Gel actually works. If only my 34 year old skin would realize puberty ended years ago.

2. My mama kitty is afraid of thunderstorms.

3. Firetrucks roaring by at 4 a.m. scare the pants off both me and the cats.

4. You sleep better when you shut off the alarm and forget you have to go to work. Oops.

5. Throw It All Away is apparently song glue that sticks and sticks because its still in my head.

6. 2 week old kittens can move incredibly fast even though they really aren't supposed to be doing more than crawling. HA! Mine are walking on all four already.

That's really all because I had to deal with the storm and firetrucks..and I wish I could have slept in, but since its only Tuesday there was no chance of that happening. I really need to think of using those last 4 vacation days that I have.

Random 10

From Music Memoirs


10 songs that sum up your weekend...or were on your weekend playlist...and one picture that relates back. (oh, and if you feel like it, tell us why you picked the songs you did)


It was a lazy weekend for me. I did a lot of reading and listening to music, but for the most part, I kept an eye on mama kitty and her four babies, who are now starting to walk around and get into everything. Kitten proofing a room at 10 o'clock on a Sunday night is about a fun as it gets!



Tracklist
01. Status Quo - Pictures Of Matchstick Men
02. Status Quo - I Knew The Bride (When She Used To Rock N' Roll)
03. Deni Bonet - Last Girl On Earth
04. Josephine - For You
05. The Smithereens - Ask Me Why
06. Rascal Flatts - Life Is A Highway
07. Jonatha Brooke - You Oughta Be Satisfied Now
08. Lin McEwan - You Can Leave Your Hat On
09. Paul Revere & The Raiders - Let Me
10. Sonya Kitchell - So Lonely

Download (53MB)

Weird Dreams & Why I Like Phil Collins

I lost Pickle again on my clock radio so I wake up to 99.7 WSHH. This morning Genesis came blaring down the waves at me. It was Throwing It All Away from the Invisible Touch CD, which is one of my favorite albums.

I totally didn't wake up properly when it came on because I drifted into a dream where I was singing that song at someone. Never mind who I was singing it at, but I was singing it. God I hope I wasn't singing in my sleep! That could be frightening, especially as I'm not much of a songbird when I'm awake.

I full admit to loving the cheesy song stylings of Phil Collins, I always have. His voice just appeals to me. Maybe I was adult contemporary even as a kid, because I remember buying the But Seriously CD when it first came out and I saw him in concert on that particular tour as well.

This is the first time a song ever took hold in my wandering sleep filled brain. I suppose it could be worse, it could have been In The Air Tonight that was playing. That song has such a creepy vibe I would have had a 5 minute nightmare.

The problem is this damn song is stuck in my head now and probably won't go away for the rest of the day as a result, because I'm so focused on the dream.

ARGH!

What a way to kick start the work week! I think I want to be throwing it all away.

I Hate Bill Paying Days

Today I have to go to the mall with the sole purpose of paying my Sears bill. I hate Sears and everything associated with them. They are one of the few credit card companies that won't work with a debt management company.

I'm paying them double and sometimes triple my monthly payment because I never want to see another Sears bill ever again.

And with an account that was once on a debt management program, they won't let me pay the bill online and the way its due, makes it hard to mail payment so I end up going to the mall once a month just to get the damn thing out of my hair.

Going to the mall is always a trial for me. I love to shop, but right now I can't afford to. I really can't afford the drive to Washington, PA to pay the bill, but I have no other options right now.

Grrr.

I would love it if I didn't have to make this trip, because I know I'll cave and buy something somewhere today and I really shouldn't because I still have things from my trip last weekend to pay off. (Not to mention cats that will need vet trips very soon)

Why Oh Why Oh Why

Did The Knack choose to record Nick Lowe's I Knew The Bride? I finally got a copy of the 1979 release Get The Knack, which is a pretty solid album. Unfortunately I listened to the bonus tracks.

Dave Edmund's recorded it in 77 so did Status Quo. But why did The Knack have to do it? Sure they were of the same old school almost punk style that Nick wrote for, but when they got their hot little hands on that number they really just massacred it.

I guess that's why it was just a rehearsal cut that didn't make an album until much later when record companies scrambled to find any bonus material they could.

This is one bonus track I could live without though. I've listened to it several times this morning hoping that I would change my mind.

Nope.

Its a combination of it being played just a bit too fast and the lead singer's voice just not doing it justice.

Avoid this song, if you like Nick or Dave, for I fear you'll end up angry like I am right now.

Top 5 On Friday - Week 190

From Music Memoirs

Top 5 TV Theme Songs

I Know You Know by The Friendly Indians (Psyche Theme)
This is probably the catchiest theme out there. I only have to hear a bit of it to have it stuck in my head for days.

The Monkees Theme by The Monkees (Monkees Theme)
How can you not love this song?

It's A Jungle Out There by Randy Newman (Monk Theme)
Probably one of the most perfectly suited theme songs ever!


The Doctor Who Theme by Murray Gold
It changes a little bit each season, but you'll always recognize this one, if you've ever watched Doctor Who

Perhaps Perhaps Perhaps by Mari Wilson (Coupling Theme)
I adore this song. Doris Day was probably the first artist to do this song.

I can't offer you those versions by I can give you the version done by Geri Halliwell, which is smashing.

Perhaps Perhaps Perhaps

So what are your favorite TV themes? Play along here or go to Music Memoirs and play.

Do I Like Cats?

What do you think?

This is my brother's 16 lb kitty, Socks, who is just absolutely adorable. I'm the idiot lying on the floor to play with her.

My sister-in-law accused me of only coming to visit to see the cats. Hmm. She might be onto something there, but we won't tell her, right?

Sticker Shock

I've been trying to price the two cars that I'm considering purchasing, The Ford Focus and The Chevy Cobalt. Both are small, fuel economic vehicles. Both have a sticker price near 17,800.

BLERGH!

I will not consider a Toyota, for one..UGLY is what I can afford there. Honda. BLECK. Plus living with a man that served in WW2, well if I brought a non-US made car home, I'd better be prepared to move into grandma's house.

I guess there goes that Mini-Cooper.

What really gets me is that the local Chevy Dealer in Rostraver has no Cobalts with automatic transmission. NONE! 57 Cobalts on the lot and all are 5 speed manuals. Uh, I can't drive a stick and I'm not willing to learn either.

I just want to be able to find my car a bit easier and I'm getting the feeling that when I do decide to buy one its going to be a pain in the ass to do, not to mention totally unaffordable. I refuse to buy an Aveo or a Yaris, they are freaking UGLY!

I'm glad my purchase time is looking to be spring though I had wanted it to be this winter.

The Tracks Of My Tears

Yesterday was a rough one. It seemed like every time I turned around the tears were ready to come.

I was really missing grandma and that all started at my brother's house. He has an awesome digital frame, but it seemed like whenever I looked at it a picture of gram was up.

I miss gram terribly.

I miss hearing her say she loves me more.

I miss sharing books with her.

I miss her hugs.

I even miss the stuff that used to annoy me, like doing the laundry on Saturday morning when I'd rather be sleeping in, or getting her mail when I was tired and being a lazy bitch that didn't want to walk across the street.

I miss her asking me if anything went on at work. I hate that I've had things that were actually interesting or weird happen lately and I can't tell her.

I miss her voice.

Just when I think its getting better something comes to mind and I'm bawling again. I know its only been a few months but it doesn't change the fact that gram was a huge part of my life and every day I realize more and more what a gaping hole her passing has left in my life.

I know it seems childish but I want my grandma

I Don't Want To Work

But I don't want to bang on the drum, as the song goes. I just want to stay curled up in my bed. I slept surprisingly well last night. The kittens are sleeping through the night better now. Yay!

I have so much to do at home now though that I really could have used a 4 day weekend.

But isn't that always the case?

Everyone needs a vacation from work and then a vacation from vacation. The recovery period from a vacation is always longer too it seems.

I know I need to do laundry, put the stuff I bought away, take the rental car back tonight, try to get the sweeper run in the room with the kittens without scaring the beejeebus out of them and get the pictures off the memory card and onto my computer and uploaded into flickr.

~sigh~

I'm tired just thinking about it.

One Of The Best Cars Ever

I love when I get a rental car for the weekend. It means I get to drive a car that's only a year or two old. (Three years tops) This weekend I've got a shiny white Chevy Cobalt and I love it. I drove from Charleroi to Canton, which is a 2.5 hour drive and didn't even use half a tank of gas!!

32 MPG!

THUD!

And when I filled the tank from half, it only cost $25!

Praise Jesus!

I've read that the new Focus gets 35 MPG so that's still the top car on my list, but the Cobalt is definitely up there too.

I've not driven cars that had gas mileage much above the mid-20's, so having this to drive has definitely given me a love for the compact car.

Now if only I could get the loan to buy a new car.

~sigh~

A few more months to go, hopefully.